I'm wondering if anyone was in the same position as myself.
We have an online invoice application which constantly has to be adjusted per client...
For example, when it was finished, i had to change the table articles to include ArticleDetails, where all prices went in.
Then another table Model, Type and Color for declaring size (eg. for clothing articles). Now this also effects the layout of my invoice screen + the print (totally different)
All my tables of my webapplication has to be the same as their old Windows Application (which was created in Access and VB 6).
I have 3 different import methods and 3 different export methods (on top of an API for communication..).
Other grmbl design decisions i had no choice but to implement:
- Every client has their own database, so i have one MasterDatabase (for logins, permissions, ...) and then i have a SlaveDatabase for every client...
- Variable visibility of tabs and html elements
- Variable requirement of elements on creating (eg. clients), eg. one requires Tax Number, someone else requires a different sort of tax number (eg. for French customers it's called differently). These changes also affect orders/invoice/... + print + overview of orders + editing orders)
- I had to put clients in my test-environment --> migrating databases haven't been an option because of different pk's between test-environment and live-environment -> hadn't had time) and the complex migration that would occur..
Off course, these irritating design decisions have a huge impact on
- Progress of development
- Huge ammount of almost not used features (for example: logging the drivers + costs for a airport/taxi service + a restaurant reservation system)
- Errors -> It's getting difficult to get a grip on all the different scenarios that have been implemented when testing the web application. Currently, i can manage it, but i don't know how long.
- Errors outside of my environment -> Eg. I have lots of network dependencies for importing old Access Databases and exporting them to SQL Server...
I already explained this to my boss at the start.. .But he frankly doesn't seem to care.
The company where i work never did any webdesign before i arrived.. Now i have a WebApp that is 656 MB in size and contains 8.325 files and 1.317 folders... (LOL :s)
Have you ever been in such a scenario and what did you do? (there aren't many employers in IT in my neighbourhood)
